ROME: 15th July 2007 -- Digital Virtues -
'reflections, frameworks and practical matters for institutes of
consecrated life and their members', has been a labour of love
developed over a two year period. It has now been published
initially in a form fully consonant with the principles it espouses -
it is an 'open book', issued under a Creative Commons licence, which
permits its readers to take the ideas developed within and adapt or
improve upon them. The only thing a reader does not have
permission to do is to make money from them!
The work is currently available in two formats, one
html, therefore viewable directly online, the other a commercial,
print-ready pdf which could be read online but which is obviously
intended for downloading where it can then be read on-screen or output
to paper. Both are available from Bosconet
www.bosconet.aust.com, under the 'What's New' rubric. In its
paper form it runs to 95 pages including Table of Contents and a
complete index. Digital Virtues is a unique work - and I
mean that in the truest sense of the word. Over this two year
period I have scoured all obviously available resources to see what has
been on offer in terms of Church documentation or the documentation of
Religious Congregations by way of reflection on the digital world, on
some of the issues that result from a new and at times invasive
culture. There was not a great deal on offer! Therefore the
'reflections' parts of this book are indeed unique. You will not
find them elsewhere - except, at least in their initial and provocative
form, in a certain letter written by a certain Superior General:
Pascual Chávez, of course (AGC 390). The final chapter,
chapter 8, specifically acknowledges this and indicates how it became
the stimulus for these reflections which do not merely repeat his own
but develop them.
If you choose the online version to begin with, you
will find a straightforward navigation process, easy screen-chunk
sections. It would make an excellent 'taster' to find your way
around quickly. If you choose to download the pdf version you will not
only have a typeset potential printout in hand but the additional value
of sidebars which can guide you through your reading.
Though it may seem strange to be recommending the
final chapter, I am doing precisely that, as a way of noting what the
main issues in the book are, and at the same time being confronted with
the same stimuli for reflection that moved the author to write.
Each chapter concludes with a 'digital to-do list'
directed either to a community (local, provincial, world) or to
individuals. At all times the material is directed to members of
consecrated life - how does the digital world impinge on them, what
actions could they be taking? There is ample reflection for the
community level, indeed there are frameworks in there for reflection by
communities. Along the way no doubt there are challenging
statements, and nobody says you have to agree with them! But you
might allow them to pose their questions to you nonetheless.
If you feel that parts or the whole have been
valuable for you personally or for your community, or indeed if you
feel that you could improve on them, the licence permits you to do the
latter, and courtesy suggests you let me know how you feel. Both ways
can help a future edition be even better. In due course it may
find its way into print on a commercial basis (where the licence will
alter a little). That depends on whether the work fulfils a
need. Presentation of several chapters at meetings of consecrated
life around the world have already demonstrated some need and warm
acceptance. austraLasia's readers are another group who now have
the chance to indicate this. Click
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